HC Deb 22 October 1991 vol 196 c595W
Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many social services adoption inquiries have been referred to the social services inspectorate in the last year for which figures are available; how long the delays are subsequent to such referrals; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Information is not available in the form requested. The Department's social services inspectorate is in regular contact with local authority social services departments on all matters related to child care, including adoption. All inquiries referred to the inspectorate are dealt with as promptly as the nature of the inquiry allows.

Mr. Thurnham

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what appeal procedure exists for would-be adopters turned down by their local authority social services departments; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

Where an adoption agency, including a local authority, decides that a prospective adopter is not suitable to he an adoptive parent, the agency should notify the prospective adopter of its decision in writing. As a matter of good practice, the reasons for the agency's decision should also be explained to the prospective adopter in the course of a counselling interview. There is no statutory right of appeal against this decision.

Under the Complaints Procedure Directions 1990, a local authority may consider a representation made by, or on behalf of, an individual against a decision which the local authority has made in discharging its social services functions. The directions came into force on 1 April 1991. A copy is available in the Library and in the booklet "Community Care in the Next Decade and Beyond" published by HMSO in November 1990.

1990. Miss Lestor

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many non-British national children, and from which countries, received entry clearance to Britain with a view to adoption in(a) 1987, (b) 1988, (c) 1989 and (d)

Mr. Peter Lloyd

[holding answer 21 October 1991]: I have been asked to reply.

In 1990 entry clearances were issued to 113 Romanian and 54 Sri Lankan children with a view to adoption by British couples. Information is not available for children adopted in other countries, or in previous years.